The French Revolution and Napoleon empire

Who made up the First Estate?

Clergy of the Catholic Church; 1% of population, owned 10% of land, paid about 2% of income in taxes.

Who made up the Second Estate?

Wealthy nobles; 2% of population, owned 20% of land, paid no taxes.

Who made up the Third Estate?

Commoners: bourgeoisie, workers, and peasants; 97% of population, paid most taxes.

What type of leader was King Louis XVI?

Ineffective, indecisive, and careless; took poor advice from Marie Antoinette.

Why did the King and Queen try to flee France?

They tried to escape to the Netherlands but were caught, making people see them as traitors.

What were the main causes of the French Revolution?

Unfair estate system, weak leadership, economic crisis, famine, and Enlightenment ideas.

What event began the French Revolution?

The Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789.

What was Bastille Day?

A symbolic day of independence that marked the start of the Revolution.

What was the National Assembly?

A group formed by the Third Estate to create a new constitution and gain more rights.

What was the Tennis Court Oath?

A vow by the National Assembly to write a constitution for France.

What was the Great Fear?

A wave of peasant uprisings destroying noble land and documents.

Why did peasants oppose the National Assembly’s actions against the Church?

They felt religion should be separate from government.

What was the Women’s March on Versailles?

A protest over bread shortages that forced the King to return to Paris.

Who were the Émigrés?

Nobles who fled France and wanted to stop revolutionary change.

Who were the Royalists?

People loyal to the monarchy who opposed the Revolution.

Why did Austria and Prussia go to war with France?

They wanted to restore Louis XVI to the throne and stop revolutionary ideas.

List the governments of France during the Revolution in order.

1. Absolute Monarchy 2. National Assembly 3. Legislative Assembly 4. National Convention 5. Committee of Public Safety 6. Directory.

What was the Declaration of the Rights of Man?

Document guaranteeing liberty, equality, and fair taxation; ended the Old Regime.

Who was Maximilien Robespierre?

Leader of the Committee of Public Safety during the Reign of Terror.

What was the goal of the Reign of Terror?

To eliminate enemies of the Revolution using fear and executions.

What political party led the Reign of Terror?

The Jacobins.

How did Robespierre die?

He was executed by guillotine, ending the Reign of Terror.

What is a coup d’état?

A sudden seizure of government power; Napoleon used one to take over France in 1799.

How did Napoleon gain power?

He became First Consul and later Emperor after a plebiscite (vote of the people).

Why was Napoleon considered a hero?

He defended the National Convention and restored order after chaos.

What reforms did Napoleon make?

Fair tax system, national bank, schools (lycées), Napoleonic Code.

What was the Napoleonic Code?

A set of civil laws promoting order and equality but limiting freedoms, especially for women.

Why did the people support Napoleon?

He stabilized the economy and restored national pride.

Who was Napoleon’s main enemy?

Britain.

What happened at the Battle of Trafalgar?

British navy defeated France; Napoleon used the Continental System in response.

Why did Napoleon sell the Louisiana Territory?

He lost control in Haiti and needed to focus on Europe.

What were Napoleon’s three major mistakes?

1. Continental System 2. Peninsular War 3. Invasion of Russia.

What was the Continental System?

A blockade to hurt Britain’s trade; it failed and damaged France.

What caused the Peninsular War?

Napoleon invaded Spain to reach Portugal; Spain revolted using guerilla warfare.

What is guerilla warfare?

Small, surprise attacks and ambushes instead of traditional battles.

Why did Napoleon invade Russia?

Russia traded with Britain and ignored the Continental System.

What was the scorched-earth policy?

Russian strategy of burning crops and land to starve Napoleon’s army.

What was the result of the invasion of Russia?

Nearly 400,000 French soldiers died from cold, hunger, or attacks.

What happened to Napoleon after Russia?

He was forced to abdicate and exiled to Elba.

Why did Napoleon return from Elba?

The new king, Louis XVIII, was unpopular and reversed revolutionary changes.

What were the Hundred Days?

Napoleon’s brief return to power in France before his final defeat.

What happened at the Battle of Waterloo?

Napoleon’s final defeat by British (Duke of Wellington) and Prussian forces.

Where was Napoleon finally exiled?

St. Helena in the South Atlantic, where he died in 1821 (likely stomach cancer).

What was the purpose of the Congress of Vienna?

To restore monarchies and balance power in Europe after Napoleon’s defeat.

Who led the Congress of Vienna?

Klemens von Metternich of Austria.

What were the main goals of the Congress of Vienna?

Restore monarchies, prevent French expansion, and maintain balance of power.

What was the Holy Alliance?

An agreement to stop democratic movements and promote Christian principles in politics.

What was the Concert of Europe?

An alliance where nations helped each other stop revolutions.

Why was the Congress of Vienna considered successful?

It maintained peace in Europe for over 40 years and balanced power among nations.